A barn has been severely damaged in a fire near Ottery St Mary which saw animals rescued by fire crews.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service sent fire appliances from Ottery St Mary, Middlemoor and Honiton, along with a water carrier from Danes Castle to Coombelake near Ottery St Mary in the early hours of this morning.

Fire crews remain at the scene, more than 12 hours after the blaze broke out.

Ottery St Mary barn blaze fire (Image: Sidmouth Fire Station)

A fire service spokesman said crews used four main jets, a hose reel jet, four breathing apparatus sets, a street hydrant and a compressed air foam jet in total for the incident.

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They added: “On arrival, the officer in charge confirmed there to be a barn measuring approximately 50m x 15m containing hay and farming equipment to be well alight and request the assistance of one more pumping appliance from Honiton.

“Crews got to work using breathing apparatus, compressed air foam and mains jets to bring the fire under control and assist with the evacuation of animals from the building.

“The incident has been scaled down to one pumping appliance using one compressed air foam jet and protecting surrounding buildings, but there is still one fire appliance from Ottery St Mary in attendance.